Methods, apparatuses and computer program products for extending the capabilities of platform-independent applications on devices

Abstract

An apparatus for extending the functionalities of a platform-independent application(s) may include a processor and a memory storing executable computer code that cause the apparatus to at least perform operations including generating a request via a platform-independent application(s). The request comprises a query including information requesting a platform-dependent device to execute instructions. The computer program code may cause the apparatus to send the request to a network entity and receive a message from the network entity comprising data instructing the device to execute the instructions. The computer program code may also cause the apparatus to execute the instructions, via the device, in response to analyzing data of the message and provide results of the executed instructions to the network entity to enable sending of the results to the platform-independent application which may use the results to extend its functionalities. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.

1 . A method comprising:
 generating a request via at least one platform-independent application, the request comprises a query including information requesting a platform-dependent device to execute one or more instructions;   directing sending of the request to a network entity;   receiving a message from the network entity comprising data instructing the device to execute the instructions;   executing, via the device, the instructions in response to analyzing the data of the message; and   facilitating provision of one or more results of the executed instructions to the network entity to enable sending of the results to the platform-independent application which uses the results to extend one or more functionalities of the application.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 ,
 wherein executing further comprises instructing another device to perform one or more functions and provide the data associated with the functions to the device, and   wherein the device comprises a native application that is dependent on a particular device platform.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein prior to executing the instructions, the method further comprises retrieving the message from a data repository based on a determination that the message is intended for the device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 periodically polling the data repository for receipt of messages from the network entity, the messages comprise data instructing the device to execute instructions that are requested by corresponding platform-independent applications.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the platform-independent application comprises a web application that is executable in part by a web browser, the web application is accessible via a network. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving content, via the application, the content indicates results of executed instructions generated by the device based on one or more previous requests sent by the application to the network entity. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 ,
 wherein receiving the content occurs in response to a receipt of a subsequent request for executed instructions to be carried out by the device, the subsequent response is generated and provided by the application to the network entity, and   wherein prior to receiving the content, the content associated with the previous requests is stored by the network entity on behalf of the application.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising analyzing, via the device, a header of the message to determine whether the device is the intended target of the message. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the device platform comprises an operating system. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
 facilitate generation of a request via at least one platform-independent application, the request comprises a query including information requesting a platform-dependent device to execute one or more instructions; 
 direct sending of the request to a network entity; 
 receive a message from the network entity comprising data instructing the device to execute the instructions; 
 facilitate execution of the instructions, via the device, in response to analyzing the data of the message; and 
 facilitate provision of one or more results of the executed instructions to the network entity to enable sending of the results to the platform-independent application which uses the results to extend one or more functionalities of the application. 
   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to facilitate execution of the instructions by instructing another device to perform one or more functions and provide the data associated with the functions to the device, and wherein the device comprises a native application that is dependent on a particular device platform. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to retrieve the message from a data repository based on a determination that the message is intended for the device, prior to execution of the instructions. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
 periodically poll the data repository for receipt of messages from the network entity, the messages comprise data instructing the device to execute instructions that are requested by corresponding platform-independent applications.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the platform-independent application comprises a web application that is executable in part by a web browser, the web application is accessible via a network. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to facilitate receipt of content, via the application, the content indicates results of executed instructions generated by the device based on one or more previous requests sent by the application to the network entity. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 ,
 wherein receipt of the content occurs in response to a receipt of a subsequent request for executed instructions to be carried out by the device, the subsequent response is generated and provided by the application to the network entity, and   wherein prior to receipt of the content, the content associated with the previous requests is stored by the network entity on behalf of the application.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to analyze a header of the message to determine whether the device is the intended target of the message. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the device platform comprises an operating system. 
     
     
         19 . A computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:
 program code instructions configured to facilitate generation of a request, via at least one platform-independent application, the request comprises a query including information requesting a platform-dependent device to execute one or more instructions;   program code instructions configured to direct sending of the request to a network entity;   program code instructions configured to facilitate receipt of a message from the network entity comprising data instructing the device to execute the instructions;   program code instructions configured to facilitate execution of the instructions, via the device, in response to analyzing the data of the message; and   program code instructions configured to facilitate provision of one or more results of the executed instructions to the network entity to enable sending of the results to the platform-independent application which uses the results to extend one or more functionalities of the application.   
     
     
         20 . The computer program product of  claim 19 ,
 wherein the execution of the instructions further comprises instructing another device to perform one or more functions and provide the data associated with the functions to the device, and   wherein the device comprises a native application that is dependent on a particular device platform.